Magheracloone
Encyclopedia
Magheracloone is a parish in County Monaghan
. Its name comes from Machaire (na) Cluain which is Irish for the Pasture Plain. It covers 12,952 statute acres, making it the biggest parish in south Monaghan. The parish shares borders with three neighbouring counties:Cavan
, Louth
and is the only parish in Monaghan to border Meath
. The parish contains numerous natural resources such as gypsum
, which has been mined locally for decades. During the 1840s the population numbered around 9,000. Today it has a population of around 1800.
The absintee 'Shirley Family' landlords own a vast amount of land in the parish. They own the wooded land known locally as "Shirley's Woods". The people of Magheracloone worshiped in three churches, built and maintained by the people of different religious faiths.
The nineteenth century harper Patrick Byrne
was a native of the parish. Born and reared in the townland of Greaghlone, he went on to achieve international fame, becoming the first person photographed playing the harp. He retired to the townland of Beagh at the end of his life and is buried in nearby Carrickmacross
.
A quote from a local poet: "Where Breffny joins with kingly Meath at Tobermannon on the Glyde, there Magheracloone is, lying side by side."
who have won the Monaghan Senior Football Championship once, in 2004. They have achieved runner-up three times; in 2002, 2005 and 2006. Their team colours are Black and White. Senior Gaelic footballer Thomas Freeman was presented with a GAA All Star award in 2007 and his brother, Damien Freeman is a former captain of county Monaghan's gaelic football team team.
They also have an under 14 boys and girls Olympic handball team. The boy’s team achieved all-Ireland runner-up and the girl's team came 1st in Ireland in 2006.
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Its name comes from Machaire (na) Cluain which is Irish for the Pasture Plain. It covers 12,952 statute acres, making it the biggest parish in south Monaghan. The parish shares borders with three neighbouring counties:Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
and is the only parish in Monaghan to border Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The parish contains numerous natural resources such as gypsum
Gypsum
Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. It is found in alabaster, a decorative stone used in Ancient Egypt. It is the second softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale...
, which has been mined locally for decades. During the 1840s the population numbered around 9,000. Today it has a population of around 1800.
The absintee 'Shirley Family' landlords own a vast amount of land in the parish. They own the wooded land known locally as "Shirley's Woods". The people of Magheracloone worshiped in three churches, built and maintained by the people of different religious faiths.
The nineteenth century harper Patrick Byrne
Patrick Byrne (musician)
Patrick Byrne was the last noted exponent in Ireland of the historical Gaelic harp and the first Irish traditional musician to be photographed....
was a native of the parish. Born and reared in the townland of Greaghlone, he went on to achieve international fame, becoming the first person photographed playing the harp. He retired to the townland of Beagh at the end of his life and is buried in nearby Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross or Carrickmacros is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland. The town and environs had a population of 4,387 according to the 2006 census, making it the second largest town in the county. The town won the prestigious European Entente Florale Silver Medal Award. It is a market town which...
.
A quote from a local poet: "Where Breffny joins with kingly Meath at Tobermannon on the Glyde, there Magheracloone is, lying side by side."
Sport
The parish has a Gaelic football team called the Magheracloone MitchellsMagheracloone Mitchells
Magheracloone Mitchells is a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club from the parish of Magheracloone in County Monaghan, Ireland. The team participate in the Monaghan Senior Football Championship. The Magheracloone Mitchells GAA club pitch is situated on the main Carrickmacross-Kingscourt...
who have won the Monaghan Senior Football Championship once, in 2004. They have achieved runner-up three times; in 2002, 2005 and 2006. Their team colours are Black and White. Senior Gaelic footballer Thomas Freeman was presented with a GAA All Star award in 2007 and his brother, Damien Freeman is a former captain of county Monaghan's gaelic football team team.
They also have an under 14 boys and girls Olympic handball team. The boy’s team achieved all-Ireland runner-up and the girl's team came 1st in Ireland in 2006.